Take Your Dachshund Hiking: 14 Safety Tips to Keep It Fun
Are you ready to hit the trails with your Dachshund? Hiking with your little long dog is a great way to add in some extra exercise while enjoying some special bonding time in the beautiful outdoors.
But wait! Before you take your Dachshund hiking, you’ll need to do a little planning for your adventure.
Read below to learn all of the essential tips to make sure your hike is both enjoyable and safe for your doxie. Take Your Dachshund Hiking: here are some safety tips to keep it fun.
This page contains affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Table Of Contents
Benefits of Hiking with Your Dachshund
Socialization:
Giving your Dachshund a chance to join you on a nature hike is a great way to introduce them to new sites, sounds, and smells. Something they need for their socialization training.
Post You Should Read: How to Socialize Your Dachshund
Exercise:
Dachshunds get bored easily, which can lead to destructive behavior. Taking them on two daily walks for at least 20 minutes can help a lot!
If your doxie is cooped up all day, exploring a new hiking trail to change up the same walking routine keeps them fit and happy. Plus, it’s a great way to tire them out for a good nap.
Exploration:
That’s my mini Dachshund, Eko, in the picture above. Take a look at his stance.
His eyes are wide open, his chest is puffed out, he is in tracking mode and ready to go.
The Dachshund is a type of hound dog that loves to use all of their “super senses” to hunt. Taking your pup on a hiking trail allows them to use all of their senses in one place.
Listening to new sounds, sniffing new scents, and a big open place to bark freely, it’s a Dachshund’s dream!
Did you know that Dachshunds are able to hear and feel ground vibrations of their prey?
14 Safety Tips for Hiking with Your Dachshund
Let’s take a look at some easy ways we can prepare for our doxie hike. Some basic things you can do ahead of time include:
1. Testing the Trail
First, test out the trail Without your Dachshund. Check for sharp debris, steep uphill climbs, water sources, and you can get a feel for the amount of foot traffic passing through.
Flat, smooth trails work well for me and my Dachshunds. I hike for enjoyment, not really to get out of breath, so I keep it pretty easygoing.
Avoid sharp, jagged rocks; their low hanging bellies can really get scratched up easily.
Climbing up hills is a nice way to strengthen your Dachshund’s muscles, but don’t let them over-do-it, as they are prone to back issues.
Post You May Like: How to Avoid IVDD
2. Trail Length
Take into account your Dachshund’s health, age, and energy level to help you choose the right trail for your little long dog.
We usually stick to flat, smooth trails and hike for about 30 minutes at their pace, which is pretty slow since they need to stop and sniff everything! Sniffing is great for their mental stimulation, but can be frustrating for the owner.
About halfway through, we take a sit down and drink break to make sure everyone is comfortable before heading back to the car.
3. Check the Weather
Check the weather ahead of time to avoid getting caught in the rain (a doxie’s worst enemy). In the summer, avoid hiking during peak sunshine hours to avoid canine heatstroke.
Fall is my absolute favorite time to go hiking with my Dachshunds. The weather is cool, and the ground is dry, perfect for a comfortable hike.
Post You May Like: Top 10 Winter Coats for Dachshunds
How Far Can Your Dachshund Hike?
For your first couple of hikes with your doxie, limit the time to about 30 minutes total (with at least one break in between). This should help you decide if they are able to do a little more or less.
Then, gradually increase the time to see if your doxie is up for the task.
4. Identification
It is critical that your Dachshund has an up-to-date dog license, name tag, or microchip before going on a hike. If your pup gets loose, this will make it easier to bring them back to you.
Also, have an up-to-date photo of your doxie on your phone or in your pocket in case you need to show other hikers what your pup looks like.
5. Sturdy Harness
I prefer to use a dog body harness for both of my Dachshunds whether we are on a hike or a walk. They both get so excited to run on the trail that they tend to pull a lot on the leash and collar, which ends up making them choke and gag.
Using a comfortable body harness on your Dachshund is much safer on their neck and back.
Related: 10 Best Dog Harnesses for Dachshunds
6. Secure Leash
Always keep your pup on a sturdy leash while hiking. Your Dachshund will be ready to chase anything that moves on the trail and greet other dogs and hikers along the way.
If a larger animal is nearby, your Dachshund will find it in no time. No matter how big your Dachshund thinks they are, it probably won’t be a fair fight.
If you would prefer a more ‘hands-free’ hiking dog leash, check this one out on Amazon. Look Ma, No Hands!
7. Pet First Aid Kit
No one wants to be caught off guard with an injury while on a hiking trail. If you or your dog needs medical attention, it helps to have a kit available and ready to go.
You can get a small compact kit to throw in your hiking bag or have one stored in the car.
Here is a nice Vet Approved Pet First Aid Kit with great ratings on Amazon.
Tip: Pick a trail that circles back around to your car in case you need to rush your pup to the vet.
8. Leave No Trace
If your pup leaves any waste on the hiking trail, bag it up. Don’t leave it on the ground for others to step in. Do your part to keep the trail clean and beautiful.
Fact: Dog waste is the #3 cause of water pollution. In 1991, the EPA deemed dog waste to be as toxic as oil spills.
9. Time For a Break
Stop every 15-20 minutes for a drink break and allow your dog to catch their breath. Larger dogs may be able to go longer without a break, but our “determined doxies” are putting in a lot more steps and need to rest those paws.
Make sure to bring along plenty of drinking water for you and your dog.
This is my favorite travel water bottle that keeps me and my dogs fully hydrated on our hikes.
Bring along some small dog treats to help you dachshund re-energize on their break. Dogs burn a lot of calories while hiking.
Don’t give them a large amount of treats or food, this could upset their stomach.
10. Wipe Those Paws
At the end of your doxie hike, you should gently wipe down your dog’s paws. You can choose to use an all-natural dog grooming wipe (from Amazon) or just dose each paw with some water to rinse off any sharp debris they may have stuck between their toes or pads.
11. Tick Check
Always do a thorough tick inspection on yourself and your dog after spending time outside. This can prevent the transmission of disease and infestation.
Run your fingers over your dachshund’s coat and make sure to inspect the following areas:
- Inside and Outside Ears
- Between their Toes
- Face and Chin
- Under the Tail
- Groin area
- Armpits
- Eyelids
If I ever find a gross tick stuck inside my dog’s fur, I use the Tick Key to get the whole tick (body and head) out! The tick key goes right on your key chain, so it is there when you need it. It is a MUST HAVE if you take your doxies on hiking trails.
Video You Should Watch: “What to do when your Dog has a Tick Infestation on Vacation”
12. Post Hike Clean Up
After the hike, have an old towel or car seat cover handy in case your doxie’s paws and belly are muddy or wet.
13. Paw Protection
If you and your Dachshund are up for more of an off-road adventure, consider getting your pup some dog booties to protect their feet.
#1 Choice: Muttluks Dog Boots are great for hikes. They are waterproof, washable and are made for rain, snow, or hot pavement.
Note: Dogs have sweat glands in their paws, so make sure to take off their doggie boots for a few fresh-air breaks during longer hikes. Also, check the boots for small rocks before putting them back on your dog’s feet.
14. Back Up Backpack
If your Dachshund gets injured, becomes ill, or is just too tired on your hiking adventure, it doesn’t hurt to have a dog backpack to carry your doxie back home.
Do You Love To Take Your Dachshund Hiking? Let us know about your Doxie hiking adventures below.
Up Next: #1 Best Harness For Dachshunds
Leave A Comment